Annual Review 2018 | Page 6

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS Our history is a remarkable story of ambition, resilience and collaboration. We began with fewer than 500 students in just four undergraduate programs. Today we are the third largest campus of Australia’s largest university – home to more than 8000 students – and an important platform for scholarly engagement with Southeast Asia and beyond. As we enter our third decade, we will keep striving to make new discoveries, reveal new perspectives, and devise solutions to make a much-needed difference in the world. 1998 > Monash became the first foreign university to establish a branch campus in Malaysia, in collaboration with Sunway Group through the Sunway Education Trust, upon invitation from the Malaysian government. 2004 2007 > Our staff became eligible for national research grants within Malaysia. > The first Government competitive grant was received. > A successful audit by the Australian Universities Quality Agency reaffirmed the quality of education provided to students in Malaysia. > Final formal steps towards setting up the School of Medicine and Health Sciences were taken. > The Monash University Postgraduate Association was founded. > The Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway was established. 2005 > We welcomed our first 417 students. > Our first patent application was filed. > Postgraduate programs were introduced. 2001 > Approximately 1300 students were enrolled. > Overall student numbers increased to around 2400. > We graduated our very first cohort of students. > The School of Medicine and Health Sciences was established with the first two cohorts starting in Melbourne while preparations for full operation in Malaysia were made. > The campus reached a financial break-even position. 2003 > Monash was the first institution in Malaysia to be awarded full professional accreditation for our mechatronics and mechanical engineering degrees by the Malaysian Engineering Accreditation Council and the Institution of Engineers Australia. 1999/2000 > Our student population doubled in size with over 800 students in the third intake. > The School of Arts developed within the multi-faculty School of Engineering and Science. > The Monash University Student Association (MUSA) was formed with 20 pioneer students. > The first student ball was held. > The Monash University Foundation Year program was offered via Sunway College. 5 > The School of Information Technology and Business was separated into two distinct areas of study. 2006 > The School of Medicine and Health Sciences received accreditation by the Australian Medical Council – the only school outside Australia and New Zealand to achieve this status. > Access to e-science funds led to a sharp increase in external research funding, which helped stimulate research activity.